Iran, France can help end region’s wars: Velayati
Iran and France can work together to end the ongoing destructive wars in the Middle East, specifically in Syria, says a senior Iranian official.
Ali Akbar Velayati, who advises Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei on international affairs, made the remarks on Wednesday during a meeting with President of France’s National Assembly Claude Bartolone.
The French official arrived in Tehran on Monday at the head of a parliamentary delegation and is to stay in the Iranian capital until September 9.
“France has a longstanding record in Lebanon and Syria. Iran, too, enjoys good influence in these regions. They [Iran and France], therefore, can end these destructive wars through cooperation with each other,” Velayati stated.
France should follow its “independent policies” in the region, he said, adding, “We are prepared to help them in this regard, but, of course, based on respect for other countries’ territorial integrity.”
“At the present time, both countries are faced with terrorism and both are against this phenomenon. Should these bilateral meetings continue, the two sides’ interpretations of terrorism would further converge,” Velayati noted.
The Iranian official hailed the “longstanding and deep-rooted” relations between the two sides, saying, “This relationship may have gone through vicissitudes, but there have been no bad or worrying memories between the two countries.”
Bartolone, for his part, expressed delight at “direct good and straightforward” exchanges he has had during his meetings so far with Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani, Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani, and other Iranian officials.
He also hailed Iran’s 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers, saying, “The agreement changed Iran’s relationship with the international community.”
The French official further laid emphasis on the need for international agreements to address such important international issues as terrorism, climate change, money laundering, and corruption.
Earlier on Tuesday, Bartolone had met with Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani.
SS
